In the House of Commons on Friday, June 15th, there
was a keen debate on the Legitimacy Bill as amended in Committee. The Bill provides for the legitimation of children born out of wedlock on the subsequent marriage of the parents. In Committee a clause which prevented the legitimation of a child where the father or the mother was married to someone else at the time of tire birth was struck out. On Friday, June 15th, a strong attempt was made to reinsert this clause. Ultimately, upon the advice of the Solicitor-General, who said that endless confusion would be caused by its absence, it was re- inserted. As regards the general purpose of the Bill we are heartily in favour of it. The argument that the marriage tie is being weakened seems to us quite mis- guided. Surely the Bill rather exalts marriage and puts a premium upon it. To refuse legitimacy to children born out of wedlock when their parents ultimately marry has always seemed to us barbaric, and we hope that the Bill will soon become law. It was read a third time.
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